Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary

Every March, over 500,000 Sandhill Cranes converge on the Platte River valley in southcentral Nebraska to fuel up before continuing north to their nesting grounds. Considered to be one of the great wildlife spectacles in North America, this gathering of cranes is the largest in the world. 

Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary owns and manages 2,500 acres in the heart of this magnificent crane staging area. We offer guided tours to view the spectacular concentrations of Sandhill Cranes from viewing blinds on the banks of the Platte River. Come visit us and learn about our ongoing efforts to protect America’s Great Migration.

Our Mission

Our mission is to conserve and restore the Platte River ecosystem, focusing on cranes, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.

Visit Us, Come visit us along the Platte River

The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary lies right in the heart of a critical spring staging area for migrating Sandhill Cranes. Come experience one of the last great wildlife migrations on the planet.

General Crane Tours

Rowe Sanctuary’s viewing blinds are strategically placed along the Platte River to provide excellent views of the Sandhill Cranes while they are on their river roost. Viewings are scheduled daily during March and early April (see dates & times below), last approximately two hours and are led by trained guides. Walking distances to the viewing blinds range from 1/4 to 1/2 mile over relatively level terrain, with a portion of the walk occurring during very low light conditions (well before sunrise & well after sunset). Our viewing blinds are wooden structures with carpeted floors that hold up to 32 people. They offer shelter from wind, rain, and snow, but are not heated and will be as cold as or colder than it is outside.  Click here for more information.

To Make a Reservation for General Crane Tours:
Please review the information below prior to making a reservation. Reservations can be made starting at 9 a.m. CST, January 4, 2016, by calling 308-468-5282 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday or online at http://www.reservations.rowesanctuary.org.

For a printable brochure, click here.

The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center is open year round, except most holidays and the week between Christmas and New Years. Hours of operation are listed below: